Hair coloring apparatus, kit and associated methods

ABSTRACT

A hair coloring apparatus, kit, and related methods are provided. The apparatus includes a container having a medial body portion and an inner container chamber formed in the medial body portion for containing a first hair coloring solution. The container also includes an interior recess for containing a second hair coloring solution and a plunger used for mixing the second hair coloring solution into the first hair coloring solution within the inner chamber. The apparatus also includes a recess closing means such as a valve to isolate the second hair coloring solution from the first hair coloring solution prior to mixing. The apparatus also includes a hair color mixture dispenser connected to the container. The dispenser includes a brush applicator having a plurality of clusters of flexible bristles for applying a hair coloring mixture onto the hair of a user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to hair care products. More specifically,the present invention relates to an apparatus, kit, and related methodsfor coloring hair.

2. Description of the Related Art

There exists a multitude of different types of hair coloring systemswhich utilize various types of hair coloring solutions deployed with useof myriad types of hair coloring dispensers capable of dispensing thevarious types of hair coloring solutions onto the hair of a user. Thehair coloring solutions can be of a type that is either temporary orpermanent in nature. Where the hair coloring solution is temporary innature, many of the various hair coloring solutions can often be storedin a single unitary container with a sufficient shelf life to be soldand used by a user prior to significant alteration of its hair coloringformula. For some of the hair coloring solutions that are temporary innature and in most solutions which are permanent in nature, thecomponent parts which form the hair coloring solution generally cannotbe stored or mixed together for any substantial length of time without asignificant alteration in the hair coloring formula. In this situation,it is necessary to store the components of the hair coloring solution ineither two or more separate storage containers or store them isolatedfrom each other within a single container. At or near the time the userdesires to employ the hair coloring solution, the user mixes thecomponents of the hair coloring solution together, typically in a singlecontainer.

Many of the hair coloring systems which store the components of the haircoloring solution in separate containers are considered quite messy bythe user due to the requirement for mixing the components of the haircoloring solution prior to use. Spillage resulting in a significant lossof the mixed product often stems from problems encountered during themixing of the components of the coloring solution. Additionally, many ofthe users simply do not understand how to properly mix the products muchless the importance of mixing the proper quantities. The mixing processoften results in contamination of personal property in the surroundingareas where the mixing process was conducted.

The art has tried to solve the problems resulting from storage of thehair coloring components in separate containers and the ensuing problemsof combining the two components either directly in a separate containerprior to entry into the hair of the user or into a separate mixingchamber within a single container for further expressing into the hairof the user. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,357,450B1 by Paice, titled“Hair Dye Applicator,” describes a hair dye applicator including a firsttubular member having a dye gel within and a second tubular membercoupled to the first tubular member and having peroxide within. Atrigger and a pair of pistons are used to push the dye gel and peroxidetogether through a rod where fins mix them together. The mixture is thenforced into a manifold and out conduits for positioning on the hair ofthe user. This type of dispensing device is very complicated due to thenumerous parts and connections making this type of dispenser difficultto cost effectively produce as a disposable. Additionally, the numerousparts design requires the user to perform extensive cleaning betweenuses.

Also, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,247,586B1 by Herzog et al., titled“Two-Component Container,” describes a two component dispensingcontainer. In this dispenser, a first container having peroxide or hairdye is threadingly connected by the user into a second container havingthe other of the peroxide or hair dye. During the threading process, asealing plug separating the two containers is ejected. The sealing plugis then used as a shaking ball to assist in the mixing of the peroxideand the hair dye. This type of dispensing container design requires bothof the containers be at least somewhat non-pliable to provide sufficientstructure to the threads to allow the individual containers to bethreaded together. This tends to result in the dispensing containerbeing expensive to manufacture and difficult to use because thenon-pliable structure does not allow easy expressing of the haircoloring solution by the user.

Some of the art has instead tried to solve the mixing problem by storingthe components of the hair coloring solution in a single containerseparated by some form of isolation means. For example, U.S. Pat. No.3,964,643 by Morane et al., titled “Unpressurized Container for Holdinga Plurality of Product Separately and Dispensing Them Simultaneously,”describes a dispensing container having a flexible outer jacket having afirst component of the hair coloring solution and a glass tube having asecond component of the hair coloring solution within. In this form ofdispensing container, the two components are mixed by breaking the glasstube. The dispensing container also includes a cloth filter to preventbroken glass shards from being extruded along with the mixed componentsof the hair coloring solution. Manufacturing costs and safety issueshave made this type of device cost prohibitive.

Most, if not all, of hair coloring solution dispensers currently in use,whether having their components stored in separate containers or inisolation within a single container, require some form of mixing otherthan through natural permeation. Various methodologies implemented toperform this function include shaking the container once the twocomponent parts are placed into a single container. Other methodologiessupplement the shaking of the container by including a ball bearing inthe mixing container in order to accelerate the mixing process. Forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 5,937,864 by Diaz, titled “Hair ColoringApplicator with Mixing Chamber,” describes a hair coloring applicatorincluding a first chamber having peroxide material within and aseparately stored second chamber having hair dye material within. Whenthe second chamber is connected to the first chamber, a membrane in thesecond chamber is pierced by a frustro-shaped open end of the firstchamber to allow the peroxide material and hair dye material to combine.The second container includes a ball bearing to facilitate the mixing ofthe two components. This ball bearing mixing methodology, however, isoften problematic. Ball bearings are generally made of metal. Metals canhave a profound adverse reaction to include heat which can be of asufficient degree to melt the hair. Additional adverse reactions includealteration of the hair color formula itself which would prevent apredictable color result within the hair.

Still others implement mixing of the components by pressing or kneadingthe mixing container to perform the mixing function. For example, thoughnot involving hair care products, U.S. Pat. No. 6,036,005 by Krause etal., titled “Package for Storing, Mixing, and Dispensing Multi-ComponentProducts,” nevertheless describes a package for storing, mixing, anddispensing multi-component products in the form of paints, epoxyadhesives, or epoxy or polyurethane coatings to which a hardener oraccelerator are added. The package includes an outer container and aninner container located within the outer container. The outer containeris made of a flexible material and has a hardener/accelerator orcoating/adhesive/paint within. The inner container is also flexible andhas the other of the hardener/accelerator or coating/adhesive/paintwithin. The inner container has a frictionally retained closure plugcapping an opening end. The components of the product are mixed bysqueezing the outer container which squeezes the inner container whichresults in the dislodging of the closure cap. This type of package oftensuccumbs to loss during transportation and handling. Accidental pressureon the package, even for only a moment, can cause release of the plugand inadvertent mixing of the contents of the outer and innercontainers, resulting in total loss of the product.

Some devices have attempted to use a piston for mixing and dispensingthe hair coloring solution. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,053,177 bySofer, titled “Cartridge For Hair Dye Dispenser” describes a hair dyedispenser which is manually filled by a user with a storage and fillingdevice. The filling device includes a pair of separate hair dyecomponent containers positioned substantially in parallel, whereby adual piston drives the components from the containers simultaneouslyinto a hair dye dispensing container. The hair dye dispensing containeralso has a piston whereby a dispensing actuator exerts pressure on thepiston to express the mixed hair dye through a plurality of dispensingtines having tip apertures. The design is rather complicated and thusnot conducive to being made disposable. Additionally, the cartridgealong with the associated filling device and dispensing actuator hasmultiple parts including a sealing element requiring attachment and/ordetachment that can be misplaced by the user. Not being disposable, manyof the multiple parts also require extensive cleaning after use, whichcan be very messy.

Regardless of the methodology employed to produce the mixed haircoloring solution, once mixed, the hair coloring solution must bedispensed onto the hair of the user. Many hair coloring dispensers haveteeth (tines) or forks for spreading the hair during the dispensingoperation. For example, U.S. Patent App. No. 2003/0041869A1 by Dovergne,titled “Device for Applying a Substance to the Hair,” describes a devicefor applying a substance to dye hair that includes a comb or applicatorhaving teeth that are arranged with gaps between the teeth. The teethare positioned in such a way as to allow one or more substances, e.g.,oxidizer and dye, within the body of the device to be applied onto thehair. Use of the hard teeth (tines) or forks can, however, beproblematic and has been equated with trying to paint a wall with thewooden part of a paintbrush. The hair coloring dispenser described inU.K. Patent No. 2,370,264 by Lloyd-Davy, titled “Hair Dye Applicator,”and described in other similar devices, may have attempted to solve thisproblem. The described hair dye applicator includes an applicatorcomprised of bristles. A felt pad is positioned between the bristles andthe application hair dye solution and is used to moisten the bristles ofthe device. Having such an obstruction extending between the bristlesand the hair coloring solution, however, tends to greatly hinder theflow of the hair coloring solution. Thus, Applicant has recognized theneed for an applicator having soft bristles and which is designed toeasily moisten the bristles to properly apply the hair coloring solutiononto the hair of the user.

The above described devices, and some other similar devices, arerelatively complex and expensive in construction, and some of themrequire separate attachments in order to mix the components' solutionswith each other. Still others require separate storage containers forthe components, which must be combined into a unitary container fordispensing. Thus, Applicant has recognized a need for an apparatus forcoloring hair that can hold at least two components separate from oneanother until it is desired to mix the components to formulate the haircoloring solution and that is not easily inadvertently activated. Alsorecognized is the need for an apparatus for coloring hair that isdisposable and inexpensive to manufacture, relatively simple to use,allows for easy mixing without the use of a ball bearing type device, isdesigned to help prevent spillage of the mixed hair coloring solutionduring or after mixing, and which provides an even dispensing of thehair coloring solution via an applicator brush having soft bristles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, embodiments of the present inventionadvantageously provide an apparatus and methods related to use of a haircoloring apparatus that provides a user the ability to color the hair ofthe user with minimal cleanup requirements. Advantageously, embodimentsof the present invention also provide a disposable hair color containerthat includes a one-way valve that allows mixing of a pair of haircoloring solutions both pre-positioned separately within a singlecontainer, and that helps prevent inadvertent activation of the haircoloring solutions. Advantageously, embodiments of the present inventionalso provide a hair color container including a plunger for mixing apair of separately positioned hair coloring solutions. Advantageously,embodiments of the present invention also provide a hair color mixturedispenser including a brush applicator having a plurality of clusters offlexible bristles to provide substantially uniform lengthwisedistribution of the hair color mixture. Advantageously, embodiments ofthe present invention also provide a kit including a hair colordispensing container and provisions for forming a hair color mixture anddispensing said mixture. Advantageously, embodiments of the presentinvention also provide methods of forming a hair color mixture anddispensing and applying such mixture.

More particularly, an embodiment of the present invention provides acontainer including an inner container chamber formed in a medial bodyportion of the container to contain a first hair coloring solutiontherein, and an interior recess inwardly extending from a proximal bodyend portion into the medial body portion to contain a second haircoloring solution therein. At least one recess opening is formed in theinterior recess and that extends from interior recess surface regions ofthe interior recess through outer recess surface regions of the interiorrecess and into the inner container chamber. A valve is positionedadjacent the at least one recess opening to close the at least onerecess opening formed in the interior recess to thereby isolate thesecond hair coloring solution from the first hair coloring solution.This configuration is implemented so that the second hair coloringsolution, when positioned in the interior recess, is prevented fromreadily flowing from the interior recess into the inner containerchamber. Though each individual hair coloring solution (e.g., a haircolor dye and a developing solution), when in a separate and uncombinedform have relatively lengthy shelf lives, once mixed, the shelf life ofthe mixture resulting from the combination of the hair coloringsolutions can be reduced to that of hours or even minutes.

The apparatus for coloring hair can also include a plunger having adistal plunger end portion positioned in the interior recess adjacentthe proximal body end portion of the medial body portion of thecontainer. The plunger is further adjacent the second hair coloringsolution so that positive pressure on the plunger induced by a useropens the valve to allow the first and the second hair coloringsolutions to mix in the inner container chamber to thereby form the haircolor mixture within the inner container chamber. The interior recesscan be sized such that when the interior recess is substantially filledwith the second hair coloring solution, mixing the first hair coloringsolution with the second hair coloring solution results in a desiredhair color formula or mixture. The hair color mixture is formed as aresult of the passage of the second hair coloring solution from withinthe interior recess through the at least one recess opening and into theinner container chamber. The inner container chamber initially onlycontains the first hair coloring solution, but application of thepressure via the plunger results in the inner container chambercontaining a mixture of both the first and the second hair coloringsolutions. Thus, application of pressure to the plunger to extrudesubstantially all of the second hair coloring solution into the innerchamber results in such a desired mixture.

The valve, which can be positioned within the inner container chamberand adjacent the outer recess surface regions, can not only function toseparate the hair coloring solutions during storage to preventinadvertent mixing of the solutions and respond to positive pressure onthe plunger to open the at least one recess opening to allow userinitiated mixing of hair coloring solutions, but can also serve tore-cover the at least one recess opening in response to a release of thepositive pressure on the plunger induced by the user to thereby closethe valve to prevent the hair color mixture from flowing out from theinner container chamber and into the interior recess during extrusion ofthe care color mixture to the hair of the user.

The apparatus further provides a hair color mixture dispenser connectedto an open distal body end portion of the container to dispense haircolor mixture therefrom. The hair color mixture dispenser includes abrush applicator having a proximal brush applicator end, a distal brushapplicator end, a plurality of hair color mixture extrusion channelspositioned between the proximal brush applicator end and the distalbrush applicator end. The brush applicator also includes a plurality offlexible bristles associated with the distal brush applicator end, whichcan be positioned along a length of the distal brush applicator end.Each of the plurality of flexible bristles can be positioned adjacent atleast one of the plurality of hair color mixture extrusion channels.This positioning of the bristles is accomplished to help providesubstantially uniform lengthwise distribution of the hair coloringmixture.

The brush applicator also can include an extrusion channel closingvalve. In an embodiment of the present invention, the extrusion channelclosing valve is connected between the open distal body end portion ofthe container and the proximal brush applicator end of the brushapplicator to selectively close the hair color mixture extrusionchannels so that the hair color mixture within the inner containerchamber is prevented from flowing into the plurality of hair colormixture extrusion channels. The extrusion channel closing valve caninclude a rotatable closure cap having a plurality of rotatable closurecap openings in fluid communication with a corresponding plurality ofthe hair color mixture extrusion channels. Rotating the closure cap in afirst direction allows the hair color mixture to flow through theplurality of rotatable closure cap openings and rotating the rotatableclosure cap in a second direction substantially prevents the hair colormixture from flowing through the plurality of rotatable closure capopenings. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, theextrusion channel closing valve is connected adjacent the distal brushapplicator end of the brush applicator to selectively close the haircolor mixture extrusion channels. A multi-prong closure cap ispositioned adjacent the distal brush applicator end and has a pluralityof teeth each sealingly positioned within one of the plurality of haircolor mixture extrusion channels. This can provide the ability toselectively close the hair color mixture extrusion channels so that haircolor mixture within the inner container chamber is prevented fromflowing out of the plurality of hair color mixture extrusion channels.

The proximal brush applicator end can include a proximal lengthwiseextent and a proximal widthwise extent, and the distal brush applicatorend can include a distal lengthwise extent and a distal widthwiseextent. The distal widthwise extent can be substantially shorter thanthe proximal widthwise extent such that each of the plurality of haircolor mixture extrusion channels is positioned spaced apart in a singlerow along the distal lengthwise extent of the distal brush applicatorend to further provide substantially uniform lengthwise distribution ofthe hair color mixture.

The present invention also advantageously provides a kit for coloringhair. The kit includes a kit container and a hair color mixturedispensing container positioned within the kit container. The hair colormixture dispensing container includes an inner dispensing containerchamber formed in a medial body portion of the dispensing containercontaining a first hair coloring solution therein, and an interiorrecess inwardly extending from a proximal body end portion into themedial body portion containing a second hair coloring solution therein.At least one recess opening is formed in the interior recess and extendsfrom interior recess surface regions of the interior recess throughouter recess surface regions of the interior recess and into the innerdispensing container chamber. A flexible valve recess opening cover canbe positioned over the at least one recess opening to close the at leastone recess opening formed in the interior recess to thereby isolate thesecond hair coloring solution from the first hair coloring solution sothat the second hair coloring solution positioned in the interior recessis prevented from readily flowing from the interior recess into theinner dispensing container chamber.

A plunger is also positioned within the kit container. The plunger has adistal plunger end portion positioned in the interior recess adjacentthe second hair coloring solution so that positive pressure on theplunger induced by a user opens the flexible valve recess opening coverto allow the first and second hair coloring solutions to mix in theinner dispensing container chamber. The second hair coloring solutionpasses from within the interior recess through the at least one recessopening to thereby form a hair color mixture within the inner dispensingcontainer chamber. The at least one recess opening can include aplurality of recess openings. In such case, the flexible valve cover canbe further positioned in a surrounding relationship over the pluralityof recess openings to close the plurality of recess openings formed inthe interior recess. The flexible valve recess opening cover can beresponsive to the positive pressure applied to the inner recess by theplunger to thereby expand the valve recess cover to uncover theplurality of recess openings to allow the second hair coloring solutionto mix with the first hair coloring solution in the inner dispensingcontainer chamber.

The kit also includes a hair color mixture dispenser positioned in thekit container and connected to an open distal body end portion of thedispensing container to dispense hair color mixture therefrom. The haircolor mixture dispenser includes a brush applicator having a proximalbrush applicator end including a proximal lengthwise extent and aproximal widthwise extent, and a distal brush applicator end including adistal lengthwise extent and a distal widthwise extent. The distalwidthwise extent is substantially shorter than the proximal widthwiseextent.

A plurality of hair color mixture extrusion channels is positionedbetween the proximal brush applicator end and the distal brushapplicator end. The brush applicator also includes a plurality offlexible bristles associated with the distal brush applicator end. Eachcan be positioned in a single row along the distal lengthwise extent ofthe distal brush applicator end and can be positioned adjacent at leastone of the plurality of hair color mixture extrusion channels to providesubstantially uniform lengthwise distribution of the hair color mixture.An extrusion channel closing valve can be positioned adjacent the opendistal body end portion of the container and the proximal brushapplicator end of the brush applicator to close the hair color mixtureextrusion channels so that the hair color mixture within the innercontainer chamber is prevented from flowing into the plurality of haircolor mixture extrusion channels.

The present invention also includes methods of using an apparatus forcoloring hair. For example, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention, a method of using an apparatus for coloring hair includesapplying pressure against a first hair coloring solution containedwithin an interior recess that inwardly extends into an inner containerchamber of a container which contains a second hair coloring solution.The pressure applied against the first hair coloring solution expands aflexible valve cover positioned in a surrounding relationship over atleast one recess opening formed in the interior recess. The applicationof pressure induced by the user against the first hair color solutioncan be through use of positive pressure on a plunger having a distalplunger end portion positioned in the interior recess adjacent the firsthair coloring solution.

The expansion results in uncovering the at least one recess opening toallow the first and second hair coloring solutions to mix in the innercontainer chamber. The mixing of the first and second hair coloringsolutions results in the formation of a hair color mixture positionedwithin the inner container chamber and is accomplished as a result ofthe passage of the first hair coloring solution from within the interiorrecess through the plurality of recess openings and into the innercontainer chamber containing the second hair coloring solution.Releasing the application of pressure on the plunger after forming thehair color mixture causes the flexible valve cover to contract and thusto re-cover the plurality of recess openings to prevent the hair colormixture from flowing from the inner container chamber and into theinterior recess. This functional structure helps prevent inadvertentremoval of the plunger and inadvertent extrusion of the hair coloringmixture through the interior recess.

The method further includes dispensing the hair color mixture. In anembodiment of the present invention, the user rotates a rotatableclosure cap to an open position and squeezes a flexible medial bodyportion of the container to extrude the hair color mixture onto the hairof the user. The extrusion is accomplished by passage of the hair colormixture from within the inner container chamber through a plurality ofhair color mixture extrusion channels and to a plurality of flexiblebristles adapted to be brushed through the hair of the user.

In another example of an embodiment of using an apparatus for coloringhair, the method can include dispensing the hair color mixture onto thehair of a user by removing a multi-prong closure cap positioned adjacenta distal brush applicator end of a brush applicator. The multi-prongclosure cap has a plurality of teeth each sealingly positioned withinone of the plurality of hair color mixture extrusion channels. The usersqueezes a flexible medial body portion of a container connected to thebrush applicator to extrude the hair color mixture by passage of thehair color mixture from within an inner container chamber through aplurality of hair color mixture extrusion channels and to a plurality offlexible bristles positioned in a row along a distal lengthwise extentof the distal brush applicator end. The user applies a substantiallyuniform lengthwise distribution of the hair color mixture in a singlestroke to a lengthwise area of a portion of the hair of the user bybrushing the plurality of flexible bristles against the hair whiledispensing the hair coloring mixture.

Advantageously, embodiments of the present invention include anapparatus for coloring hair that is disposable and inexpensive tomanufacture, relatively simple to use, allows for easy mixing withoutthe use of a ball bearing type device, is designed to help preventspillage of the mixed hair coloring solution during or after mixing, andwhich provides an even dispensing of the hair coloring solution via anapplicator brush having soft bristles. Advantageously, embodiments ofthe apparatus do not require separate storage containers for thecomponent solutions which must be later combined into a unitarycontainer for dispensing. Advantageously, embodiments of the apparatuscan hold at least two components separate from one another in a singlecontainer until it is desired to mix the components to formulate thehair color mixture. Advantageously, an apparatus for coloring hairaccording to an embodiment of the present invention does not generallyrequire separate attachments in order to mix the components solutionswith each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the features and advantages of theinvention, as well as others which will become apparent, may beunderstood in more detail, a more particular description of theinvention briefly summarized above may be had by reference to theembodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings,which form a part of this specification. It is to be noted, however,that the drawings illustrate only various embodiments of the inventionand are therefore not to be considered limiting of the invention's scopeas it may include other effective embodiments as well.

FIG. 1 is an environmental view of an apparatus for coloring hair,according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is perspective view of an apparatus for coloring hair, accordingto an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of an apparatus forcoloring hair, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary partially exploded perspective view ofan apparatus for coloring hair, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a kit, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an apparatus for coloring hair,according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of an apparatus forcoloring hair, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary schematic view of an apparatus for coloringhair, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is perspective view of an apparatus for coloring hair, accordingto an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of an apparatus forcoloring hair, to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate embodiments ofthe invention. This invention may, however, be embodied in manydifferent forms and should not be construed as limited to theillustrated embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments areprovided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and willfully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.Like numbers generally refer to like elements throughout. Primenotation, if used, indicates similar elements in alternativeembodiments.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, and 6-8, embodiments of the presentinvention advantageously provide an apparatus 21 for coloring hair. Inan embodiment of the present invention, as perhaps is shown in FIG. 2,the apparatus 21 includes a container 23 having a medial body portion 25and a inner container chamber 27 formed in the medial body portion 25for containing a first hair coloring solution 29. The container 23 alsoincludes an interior recess 31 for containing a second hair coloringsolution 33 and a plunger 35 used for mixing the second hair coloringsolution 33 into the first hair coloring solution 29 within the innercontainer chamber 27. The apparatus 21 also includes a hair colormixture dispenser 43 connected to the container 23 and includes a brushapplicator 45 having a plurality of flexible bristles 47 for applying ahair coloring mixture 49 to the hair of a user. As shown in FIGS. 2 and3, the apparatus 21 also includes a recess closing means such as a valve51 to isolate the second hair coloring solution 33 from the first haircoloring solution 29. Note, other configurations of the apparatus 21 forcoloring hair can be used as well according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. Note also, the term “hair coloring solution” includesbut is not limited to hair coloring dye, bleach, and developer.

More specifically, an embodiment of an apparatus 21 of the presentinvention advantageously provides a container 23 having an open distalbody end portion 53, a substantially closed proximal body end portion55, and a medial body portion 25 connected to and extending between theopen distal body end portion 53 and the closed proximal body end portion55. An inner container chamber 27 is formed in the medial body portion25 of the container 23 to contain a first hair coloring solution 29therein, and an interior recess 31 inwardly extends from the proximalbody end portion 55 of the container 23 into the medial body portion 25to contain a second hair coloring solution 33 therein. At least one butpreferably a plurality of recess openings 57 are formed in the interiorrecess 31 and extend from interior recess surface regions 59 of theinterior recess 31 through outer recess surface regions 61 of theinterior recess 31, and into the inner container chamber 27.

Recess closing means is positioned adjacent the plurality of recessopenings 57 to close the plurality of recess openings 57 formed in theinterior recess 31 to thereby isolate the second hair coloring solution33 from the first hair coloring solution 29. This is structured so thatthe second hair coloring solution 33, when positioned in the interiorrecess 31, is prevented from readily flowing from within the interiorrecess 31 into the inner container chamber 27. Though each individualhair coloring solution 29, 33, such as, for example, a hair color dyeand a developing solution, when in a separate and uncombined form haverelatively lengthy shelf lives, once mixed, the shelf life of themixture 49 resulting from the combination of the hair coloring solutions29, 33, can be reduced to that of hours or even minutes.

The recess closing means introduced above is preferably in the form of avalve 51. Various implementations of valve architecture are well-knownto those skilled in the art and can include a check valve or otherone-way valve, a flapper-type valve, and a gate valve, just to name afew. Valve 51, however, provides some distinct advantages with respectto storing and mixing the first and second hair coloring solutions 29,33. Implementation of an illustrative embodiment of the recess closingmeans in the form of valve 51, will be discussed later.

A plunger 35 having a proximal plunger end portion 63, a distal plungerend portion 65, and an elongated neck 67, can be provided. The distalplunger end portion 65 is positioned in the interior recess 31 adjacentthe proximal body end portion 55 of the medial body portion 25 of thecontainer 23. The plunger 35 can be further adjacent and in contact withthe second hair coloring solution 33 such that positive pressure on theplunger 35 induced by the user opens the recess closing means, shown asvalve 51, to allow the first and second hair coloring solutions 29, 33,to mix in the inner container chamber 27 to thereby form a hair colormixture 49 within the inner container chamber 27. The interior recess 31can be sized such that when the interior recess 31 is substantiallyfilled with the second hair coloring solution 33, mixing the first haircoloring solution 29 with the second hair coloring solution 33 resultsin a desired hair color formula or mixture 49. The hair color mixture 49is formed as a result of the passage of the second hair coloringsolution 33 from within the interior recess 31 through the plurality ofrecess openings 57 and into the inner container chamber 27.

The inner container chamber 27 initially only contains the first haircoloring solution 29, but, as perhaps best shown in FIG. 3, applicationof the pressure via the plunger 35 results in the inner containerchamber 27 containing a mixture 49 of both the first and the second haircoloring solutions 29, 33. Thus, application of pressure to the plunger35 to extrude substantially all of the second hair coloring solution 33into the inner container chamber 27 results in such a desired formula ormixture 49.

The plunger 35 can include a plunger release to prevent inadvertentextrusion of the second hair coloring solution 33 into the inner chamber27. The plunger release, illustrated as pin 36 in FIG. 6, need not,however, be a pin in the normal sense. Though preferably in the form ofa cotter pin or breakaway peg, the plunger release can also be in theform of a removable collar or breakaway band at least partiallysurrounding the elongated neck 67 of plunger 35.

As perhaps best shown in FIG. 3, and as noted above, the recess closingmeans can be in the form of the valve 51 having flexible valve cover 69which can be positioned within the inner container chamber 27, adjacentthe outer recess surface regions 61 of the interior recess 31. Theflexible valve cover 69 can be further positioned in a surroundingrelationship over the plurality of recess openings. The valve 51 canfunction beyond separating the hair coloring solutions 29, 33, duringstorage, in order to prevent inadvertent mixing of the hair coloringsolutions 29, 33 and responding to positive pressure on the plunger 35to open at least one but preferably the plurality of recess openings 57to allow user initiated mixing of hair coloring solutions 29, 33.

The flexible valve cover 69 is responsive to the positive pressure onthe plunger 35 induced by the user to thereby expand the flexible valvecover 69 to uncover the plurality of recess openings 57 to allow thesecond hair coloring solution 33 to extrude through the plurality ofrecess openings 57 into the inner container chamber 27 to cause a mixingof the second hair coloring solution 33 with the first hair coloringsolution 29 in the inner container chamber 27. Correspondingly, theflexible valve cover 69 is responsive to a release of the positivepressure on the plunger 35 induced by the user to thereby contract theflexible valve cover 69 to re-cover the plurality of openings 57 toprevent the hair color mixture 49 from flowing from the inner containerchamber 27 into the interior recess 31, for the reasons described above.

In order to best accomplish such objective, the flexible valve cover 69can include a band of material. Vitro is the preferred material due toits chemical composition and ability to withstand chemical break downcaused by the first and second hair coloring solutions 29, 33,equivalent to approximately at least the shelf life of such solutions,and the ability to withstand chemical break down caused by the haircolor mixture 49, once formed. Alternative compositions of the flexiblecover 69 can include materials such as polypropylene and polyurethane orother plastics, but these alternatives typically tend to lack therequired flexibility. Other materials such as an elastic latex, elasticrubber, or other elastic material with similar elastic properties, asknown and understood by those skilled in the art, are also candidates,but tend to have a shorter shelf life than either vitro or plastics.

The valve 51, more specifically flexible valve cover 69, can also serveto re-cover the recess opening(s) 57 in response to a release of thepositive pressure on the plunger 35 induced by the user which results inclosure of the valve 51. The closing of the valve 51 upon release ofpressure prevents the newly created hair color mixture 49 fromback-flowing out from the inner container chamber 27 and into theinterior recess 31 during extrusion of the hair color mixture 49 to thehair of the user. Depending upon the configuration of the proximal endof the interior recess 31, this feature can also prevent removal of theplunger 35 from the interior recess 31.

In an embodiment of the present invention, where a plunger 35 is used tocreate the pressure, backflow of the mixture 49 through the plurality ofrecess openings 57 into the interior recess 31 could result in theplunger 35 being extended out of the proximal end of the interior recess31, resulting in inadvertent leakage of the hair color mixture 49, andthus, failure of the apparatus 21. This feature can also serve toprevent nondestructive removal of the plunger 35 after mixing hasoccurred. Attempted extrication via retraction of the plunger 35 wouldresult in a vacuum being created due to the closing of the valve 51,providing a force to prevent such attempted extrication of the plunger35.

As perhaps best shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the medial body portion 25 ofthe container 23 includes a deformable flexible material, known to thoseskilled in the art, which can include various forms of plastics anddeformable metals, just to name a few. Implementation with a deformableflexible material allows a user to squeeze the medial body portion 25 ofthe container 23 to extrude the hair color mixture 49 onto the hair ofthe user by passage of the hair color mixture 49 from within the innercontainer chamber 27. The interior recess 31 of the medial body portion25 of the container 23 can include a semi-rigid or rigid material tosupport the plunger 35. The plunger 35 is configured to fit closely andin sliding abutment with the interior recess surface regions 59 of theinterior recess 31 to further substantially prevent incidental extrusionof the second hair coloring solution 29 around the distal plunger endportion 65 of the plunger 35, especially during the application ofpressure to the second hair coloring solution 29 with the plunger 35.

As shown in FIG. 6, a medial body compression clasp 68 can be positionedin a surrounding relationship to a section of the medial body portion 25of the container 23. The medial body compression clasp 68 compresses thedeformable flexible material of the medial body portion 25 of thecontainer 23 to thereby regulate the internal volume of the innercontainer chamber 27 of the container 23 to prevent self-expansion ofthe medial body portion 25 of the container 23. In some embodiments ofvalve 51, inadvertent expansion of the medial body portion 25 can resultin a vacuum which can tend to draw the second hair coloring solution 33through the recess openings 57, and thus cause premature mixing of thehair coloring solutions 29, 33. The clasp 68 helps prevent suchoccurrence.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, a hair color mixture dispenser 43 isconnected to the open distal body end portion 53 of the container 23 todispense hair color mixture 49, therefrom. The hair color mixturedispenser 43 includes a brush applicator 45 having a proximal brushapplicator end 71, a distal brush applicator end 73, and a plurality ofhair color mixture extrusion channels 75 positioned between the proximalbrush applicator end 71 and the distal brush applicator end 73. Theproximal brush applicator end 71 can include a proximal lengthwiseextent 77 and a proximal widthwise extent 79, and the distal brushapplicator end 73 can include a distal lengthwise extent 81 and a distalwidthwise extent 83. The distal widthwise extent 83 can be substantiallyshorter than the proximal widthwise extent 79 such that each of theplurality of hair color mixture extrusion channels 75 can be positionedspaced apart in a single row along the distal lengthwise extent 81 ofthe distal brush applicator end 73. This sizing can further providesubstantially uniform lengthwise distribution of the hair color mixture49, thus providing the user an enhanced ability to quickly apply thehair color mixture 49 onto the hair of the user.

In an embodiment of the present invention, as perhaps best shown in FIG.2, the hair color mixture dispenser 43 is relatively permanently affixedto the open distal body end portion 53 of the container 23 to preventseparation of the hair coloring dispenser 43 from the open distal bodyend portion 53 of the container 23 by the user to thereby preventspilling of the first hair color solution 29 or the hair color mixture49, once mixed. In an embodiment of the present invention, the haircolor mixture dispenser 43 can instead be integral with the open distalbody end portion 53 of container 23 to even further prevent opening ofthe container 23 which can result in spilling of either the first haircoloring solution 29 or the hair color mixture 49.

As shown in FIG. 4, the brush applicator 45 also can include a pluralityof flexible bristles 47 associated with the distal brush applicator end73, which can be positioned along a length of the distal brushapplicator end 73, adjacent at least one of the plurality of hair colormixture extrusion channels 75, and preferably further positioned in asurrounding relationship to at least one of the plurality of hair colormixture extrusion channels 75. This positioning can provide concentratedwetting of each of the plurality of flexible bristles 47 positionedtherewith, yet help prevent over-saturation and pooling of extruded haircolor mixture 49. This positioning can also help further providesubstantially uniform lengthwise distribution of the hair color mixture49, both to the plurality of flexible bristles 47, and to the hair ofthe user. Additionally, each of the plurality of hair color mixtureextrusion channels 75 can be substantially unobstructed adjacent thedistal brush applicator end 73.

Each of the plurality of flexible bristles 47 can be in the form offlexible plastic bristles, as illustrated. Alternatively, the flexiblebristles 47 can, however, include other forms of applicators, such as,for example, strands of cloth, yarn, fabric, string, or sponge-typematerial. Flexible bristles 47, such as flexible plastic bristles havebeen determined to best provide for a sufficient amount of retention ofthe dispensed hair color mixture 49 prior to application of the haircolor mixture 49 to the hair of the user, without unduly restrictingdispensing of the hair color mixture 49 during application to the hairof the user.

The hair color mixture dispenser 43 can include extrusion channelclosing means positioned adjacent the open distal body end portion 53 ofthe container 23 and the proximal brush applicator end 71 of the brushapplicator 45. The extrusion channel closing means can be positioned toselectively close the hair color mixture extrusion channels 75 so thatthe hair color mixture 49 within the inner container chamber 27 isprevented from flowing into the plurality of hair color mixtureextrusion channels 75. There are numerous means known and understood bythose skilled in the art for opening and closing extrusion channels 75.For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the brush applicator 45 caninclude an extrusion channel closing valve 91 connected between the opendistal body end portion 53 of the container 23 and the proximal brushapplicator end 71 of the brush applicator 45. This extrusion channelclosing valve 91 can selectively close the hair color mixture extrusionchannels 75 so that the hair color mixture 49 within the inner containerchamber 27 is prevented from flowing into the plurality of hair colormixture extrusion channels 75. The extrusion channel closing valve 91can further include a rotatable closure cap 93 preferably integral withthe proximal brush applicator end 71 and having a plurality of rotatableclosure cap openings 95 in fluid communication with a correspondingplurality of the hair color mixture extrusion channels 75. Rotating therotatable closure cap 93 in a first (open) direction O allows the haircolor mixture 49 to flow through the plurality of rotatable closure capopenings 95 and extrusion channels 75. Rotating the rotatable closurecap 93 in a second (closed) direction C substantially prevents the haircolor mixture 49 from flowing through the plurality of rotatable closurecap openings 95.

The rotatable closure cap 93 is preferably non-removable in that itcannot be nondestructively removed from a connection with the opendistal body end portion 53 of the container 23 in order to preventinadvertent leakage or spillage of the first hair color solution 29during transportation or during mixing or the hair color mixture 49during application of the hair color mixture 49 by the user. Thestructure necessary to prevent the cap from being non-destructivelyremoved is well known to those skilled in the art. For example, theproximal brush applicator end 71 of the hair color mixture dispenser 43can be integral with the open distal body end portion 53 of thecontainer 23 in order to prevent the opening of the container 23 by theuser and thus, prevent spilling of the hair color mixture 49. As perhapsbest shown in FIG. 4, the rotatable closure cap 93 can also include arotatable closure cap flange 97 positioned at least partially extendingalong the perimeter of the proximal end of the rotatable closure cap 93.For example, a distal side of the closure cap flange 97 can land incontact with a corresponding proximal side of an open distal body endflange 99 positioned adjacent the open distal body end portion 53 of thecontainer 23. The combination of the flanges 97, 99, can act to form aretention device for retaining the rotatable closure cap 93 adjacent theopen distal body end portion 53 of the container 23 and can provide therotatable closure cap 93 sufficient connectivity to help seal therotatable closure cap 93 to the open distal body end portion 53 of thecontainer 23. By way of another example, the rotatable cap flange 97 caninstead land within an open distal body end recess 100 forming proximaland distal flanges. The open distal body end recess 100 can provide forthe positioning of the rotatable closure cap 93 at the mouth of the opendistal body end portion 53 of the container 23 and allow for therotation of the rotatable closure cap 93.

Regardless of whether the retention device is implemented as a pair offlanges such as flanges 97, 99 or a flange such as flange 97 landing inan annular recess such as recess 100, the rotatable closure cap 93 canbe sealed to the open distal body end portion 53 to prevent leakage ofthe hair color mixture 43 by one or more seals means known andunderstood by those skilled in the art. For example, rotatable cap seal98, preferably in the form of an O-ring, can be positioned to form aseal between the uppermost portion of the open distal body end portion53 and the proximal brush applicator end 71, between rotatable capflange 97 and open distal body end flange 99, or within open distal bodyend recess 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the rotatable cap seal 98is compressed within open distal body end recess 100 by rotatable capflange 97. The rotatable cap seal 98 can perform a dual function ofpreventing leakage of the hair color mixture 43 while providing a “feel”to the user when opening and closing the rotatable closure cap 93.

Associated closing structures implemented in conjunction with therotatable closure cap 93 are also well known and understood by thoseskilled in the art. For example, a membrane 101 made of a rigid,semirigid, or flexible paper, plastic, foil, or film material can bepositioned between the open distal body end portion 53 of the container23 and the rotatable closure cap 93. The membrane 101 can have aplurality of membrane openings 103 preferably spaced apart to coincidewith the plurality of extrusion channels 75 and positioned such thatthey are in fluid communication with the inner container chamber 27 andthe rotatable closure cap 93. At least one of the plurality of membraneopenings 103 is substantially axially aligned and in fluid communicationwith at least one of the plurality of closure cap openings 95 when therotatable closure cap 93 is rotated in the first (open) O direction toallow the hair color mixture 49 to flow through the plurality ofrotatable closure cap openings 103. Each of the plurality of membraneopenings 103 are substantially nonaligned with each of the plurality ofclosure cap openings 95 when the rotatable closure cap 93 is rotated inthe second (closed) C direction to substantially prevent the hair colormixture 49 from flowing through the plurality of rotatable closure capopenings 95. In this embodiment of the present invention, either thereis no extrusion channel 75 or extrusion channel opening 103 in thecenter of the brush applicator 45 or, preferably, at least one of theplurality of extrusion channel 75 is angled away from the center of theproximal brush applicator end 71 of the brush applicator 45, as perhapsbest illustrated in FIG. 4.

Also for example, instead of or in addition to the membrane 101, aplurality of cogs (not shown) can be spring biased against a proximalsurface of either the membrane 101 or the rotatable closure cap 93adjacent the plurality of rotatable closure cap openings 95, such thatthey are substantially aligned with each of the plurality of closure capopenings 95 when the closure cap 93 is in the second (closed) Cdirection, substantially preventing fluid flow of the hair color mixture49 through the plurality of rotatable closure cap openings 95.Correspondingly, at least one of the plurality of cogs (not shown) issubstantially nonaligned with each of the plurality of closure capopenings 95 when the rotatable closure cap 93 is rotated in the first(open) O direction to allow fluid flow of the hair color mixture 49.

The extrusion channel closing means can, for example, instead include amulti-prong closure cap 105 positioned adjacent the distal brushapplicator 73 end. The multi-prong closure cap 105 includes a pluralityof teeth 107 each sealingly positioned within one of the plurality ofhair color mixture extrusion channels 75 to selectively close the haircolor mixture extrusion channels 75 so that hair color mixture 49 withinthe inner container chamber 27 is prevented from flowing out of theplurality of hair color mixture extrusion channels 75. Additionally,other extrusion channel closing means, as known by those skilled in theart, are within the scope of the present invention.

In another embodiment of the present invention, as perhaps best shown inFIGS. 9 and 10, a hair coloring apparatus 211, similar to apparatus 21illustrated in FIG. 2, instead includes a flexible hair color mixturedispensing container 213 having a two-stage interior recess 214. Morespecifically, the hair coloring apparatus 211 includes the hair colormixture dispensing container 213 having an inner dispensing containerchamber 217 formed in a medial body portion 215 of the dispensingcontainer 213 and having a first hair coloring solution 219 positionedtherein. The hair color mixture dispensing container 213 also has thetwo-stage interior recess 214 inwardly extending from a proximal bodyend portion 220 into the medial body portion 215 and having a secondhair coloring solution 221 positioned therein. Note, the variousembodiments of the plunger 235 and hair color mixture dispenser 243 ofhair coloring apparatus 211 are sufficiently similar to that of plunger35 and hair color mixture dispenser 43 of hair coloring apparatus 21,described above, that for brevity purposes, and as understood by thoseskilled in the art, a separate detailed description should not benecessary. The two-stage interior recess 214 of hair coloring apparatus211 is sufficiently different from that of interior recess 31 of haircoloring apparatus 21 to warrant detailed discussion.

A first or main stage interior recess 223 of the two-stage interiorrecess 214 has outer surface regions 225 with an outer circumferencesized substantially the same as an inner circumference of inner surfaceregions 229 of the hair color mixture dispensing container 213 adjacentthe outer surface regions 225 of the first stage interior recess 223.The outer surface regions 225 can further be laminated or otherwiseconnected to the inner surface regions 229 adjacent the outer surfaceregions 225, according to various methods known by those skilled in theart. Additionally, either a section of the outer surface regions 225 orinner surface regions 229 can include an attachment flange or seal (notshown) laminated or otherwise affixed between the outer surface regions225 and inner surface regions 229 of flexible hair color mixturedispensing container 213. Note, according to embodiments of the presentinvention, portions of the outer surface regions 225 may also extend outfrom within the inner dispensing container chamber 217 of the hair colormixture dispensing container 213, through the proximal body end portion220, and still remain within the scope of the present invention.

A second or auxiliary stage interior recess 231 of the two-stageinterior recess 214, however, has outer surface regions 233 with acircumference substantially smaller than the outer circumference of theouter surface region 225 of the first stage interior recess 223.Advantageously, providing a first stage interior recess 223 with outersurface regions 225 having an outer circumference sized substantiallythe same as an inner circumference of the inner surface regions 229 ofthe hair color mixture dispensing container 213 helps minimize the depthof the two-stage interior recess 214 for a given amount of second haircoloring solution 221 and thus helps maximize the flexible surface areaof the medial body portion 215 squeezed by the user to extrude a haircoloring mixture 249. Also, providing a second stage interior recess 231with outer surface regions 233 having an outer circumferencesubstantially smaller than the outer circumference of the outer surfaceregions 225 of the first stage interior recess 223 helps minimize thecosts associated with selecting and forming an appropriate valve such asvalve 251 to allow mixing of the first and second hair coloringsolutions 219, 221, described below.

At least one opening 257, but preferably a plurality of recess openings257, is formed in the second stage interior recess 231 and extend frominterior surface regions 234 of the second stage interior recess 231through outer surface regions 233 of the second stage interior recess231 and into the inner dispensing container chamber 217. A flexiblevalve recess opening cover 269 can be positioned over the at least onerecess opening 257 to close the at least one recess opening 257 formedin the second stage interior recess 231. The flexible valve recessopening cover 269 can serve to isolate the second hair coloring solution221 positioned in the second stage interior recess 231 from the firsthair coloring solution 219 positioned in the inner dispensing containerchamber 217 so that the second hair coloring solution 221 is preventedfrom readily flowing from the second stage interior recess 231 into theinner dispensing container chamber 217.

A plunger 235, substantially similar to plunger 35 of apparatus 21,described above, can be, and preferably is, pre-positioned in the firststage interior recess 223 adjacent the proximal body end portion 220 ofthe hair color mixture dispensing container 213. When so positioned, theplunger 235 has a distal plunger end portion 265 positioned in the firststage interior recess 223 such that it is adjacent and in contact withthe second hair coloring solution 221. The plunger 235 is adapted torespond to the user such that pressure on the plunger 235 induced by auser opens the flexible valve recess opening cover 269 to allow thefirst and second hair coloring solutions 219, 221, to mix in the innerdispensing container chamber 217. The second hair coloring solution 221passes from within the second stage interior recess 231 through the atleast one recess opening 257 to thereby form a hair color mixture 249within the inner dispensing container chamber 217.

Similar to the medial body portion 25 of apparatus 21, the medial bodyportion 215 of the container 213 includes a flexible material, asunderstood by those skilled in the art, which can include various formsof plastics and flexible metals. Implementation with a flexible materialallows a user to squeeze the medial body portion 215 of the container213 to extrude hair color mixture 249 onto the hair of a user by passageof the hair color mixture 249 from within the inner container chamber217. The first stage interior recess 223 can include a semi-rigid orrigid material to support the plunger 235. Like plunger 35, the plunger235 is configured to fit closely and in sliding abutment with theinterior recess surface regions 259 of the first stage interior recess225 to further substantially prevent incidental extrusion of the secondhair coloring solution 219 around the distal plunger end portion 265 ofthe plunger 235, especially during the application of pressure to thesecond hair coloring solution 229 with the plunger 235.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one recessopening 257 can include a plurality of recess openings 257. In suchconfiguration, the flexible valve recess opening cover 269 can befurther positioned in a surrounding relationship over the plurality ofrecess openings 257, as illustrated, to close the plurality of recessopenings 257 formed in the second stage interior recess 231. Theflexible valve recess opening cover 269 can be adapted to respond topositive pressure applied to the inner recess 231 by the plunger 235 tothereby expand the valve recess cover 269 to uncover the plurality ofrecess openings 257 to allow the second hair coloring solution 221 tomix with the first hair coloring solution 219 in the inner containerchamber 217. Correspondingly, the flexible valve recess opening cover269 can be adapted to respond to a release of the positive pressure onthe plunger 235 induced by the user to thereby allow the flexible valverecess opening cover 269 to contract to thereby prevent the hair colormixture from back-flowing from within the inner dispensing containerchamber 217 and into the second stage interior recess 231. Thisdescribed configuration can provide vacuum retention of the plunger 231and prevent inadvertent extrusion of the hair color mixture through thesecond stage interior recess 231.

The dispensing container 213 can include additional provisions forpreventing premature mixing of the first and second hair coloringsolutions 219, 223. A medial body compression clasp, such as clasp 68illustrated in FIG. 6, can be positioned in a surrounding relationshipto a section of the medial body portion 215 of the dispensing container213. The medial body compression clasp can compress the flexiblematerial of the medial body portion 215 of the dispensing container 213,to thereby regulate the internal volume of the inner dispensingcontainer chamber 217. This prevents self-expansion of the medial bodyportion 215 of the dispensing container 213. In some embodiments ofvalve cover 269, inadvertent expansion of the medial body portion 215can result in a vacuum which can tend to draw the second hair coloringsolution 221 through the recess openings 257 and into the innerdispensing container chamber 217. Additionally, the plunger 235 caninclude a plunger release, such as one similar to pin 36 illustrated inFIG. 6, to prevent inadvertent extrusion of the second hair coloringsolution 221 into the inner chamber 217. The plunger release need not,however, be a pin in the normal sense. Though preferably in the form ofa cotter pin or breakaway peg, the plunger release can also be in theform of a removable collar or breakaway band at least partiallysurrounding the elongated neck of plunger 235.

The hair coloring apparatus 211 also includes a hair color mixturedispenser 243 connected to an open distal body end portion 253 of thedispensing container 213 to dispense hair color mixture, therefrom. Thehair color mixture dispenser 243 can include a brush applicator 245 suchas one similar to the brush applicator 45, illustrated in FIG. 4, andthus shall not be illustrated in detail. The brush applicator 245 canhave a proximal brush applicator end 271 including a proximal lengthwiseextent and a proximal widthwise extent, and a distal brush applicatorend 273 including a distal lengthwise extent and a distal widthwiseextent. The distal widthwise extent can be substantially shorter thanthe proximal widthwise extent to concentrate the dispensing of the haircolor mixture.

A plurality of hair color mixture extrusion channels 275 can bepositioned between the proximal brush applicator end 271 and the distalbrush applicator end 273. The brush applicator also includes a pluralityof flexible bristles 247 associated with the distal brush applicator end273. Each of the plurality of flexible bristles 247 can be positionedalong the distal lengthwise extent of the distal brush applicator end273 and can be positioned adjacent at least one of the plurality of haircolor mixture extrusion channels 275 to provide substantially uniformlengthwise distribution of the hair color mixture. Each of the pluralityof flexible bristles 247 can further be positioned in a surroundingrelationship to at least one of the plurality of hair color mixtureextrusion channels 275 to provide concentrated wetting of each of theplurality of flexible bristles 247 positioned therewith. Thispositioning can help provide substantially uniform lengthwise dispersionof the dispensed hair color mixture to the hair of the user. To thisend, the plurality of hair color mixture extrusion channels 275 can alsobe substantially unobstructed in order to provide an increased flow ofhair color mixture to the plurality of flexible bristles 247.Additionally, to provide for increased uniformity and ease ofdispensing, the flexible bristles 247 are preferably flexible plasticbristles which have been found to function well in both retaining thehair color mixture within the flexible bristles 247 and releasing themixture onto the hair of the user during application of the hair colormixture.

The hair color mixture dispenser 243 can include an extrusion channelclosing valve 291. The extrusion channel closing valve 291 can bepositioned adjacent the open distal body end portion 253 of thecontainer and the proximal brush applicator end 271 of the brushapplicator 243 to close the hair color mixture extrusion channels 275 sothat the hair color mixture within the inner container chamber 217 isprevented from flowing into the plurality of hair color mixtureextrusion channels 275. Suitable valves of this type are well known tothose skilled in the art, however, in a preferred configuration, theextrusion channel closing valve 291 is similar to that illustrated inFIG. 4 and therefore shall not be illustrated in detail. The extrusionchannel closing valve 291 can include a non-removable rotatable closurecap 293 connected between the open distal body end portion 253 of thecontainer 213 and the proximal brush applicator end 271 of the brushapplicator 243. The rotatable closure cap 293 can further be integralwith the proximal brush applicator end 271. Regardless, the rotatableclosure cap 293 can have a plurality of rotatable closure cap openings(not shown) in fluid communication with a corresponding plurality of thehair color mixture extrusion channels 275. The function is similar tothat described above with respect to brush applicator 45 such thatrotating the rotatable closure cap 293 in a first (open) direction willallow the hair color mixture to flow through the plurality of rotatableclosure cap openings and rotating the rotatable closure cap 293 in asecond (closed) direction substantially will prevent the hair colormixture from flowing through the plurality of rotatable closure capopenings.

Alternatively, instead of an extrusion channel closing valve in the formof a rotatable valve, the hair color mixture dispenser 243 can insteadinclude a multi-prong closure cap, similar to the multi-prong closurecap 105 illustrated in FIG. 7, positioned adjacent the distal brushapplicator 273 end. The multi-prong closure cap includes a plurality ofteeth, each sealingly positioned within one of the plurality of haircolor mixture extrusion channels 275 to selectively close the hair colormixture extrusion channels 275. In this fashion, the hair color mixturewithin the inner container chamber 217 is prevented from flowing out ofthe plurality of hair color mixture extrusion channels 275.Additionally, other extrusion channel closing means, as known by thoseskilled in the art, are within the scope of the present invention.

The present invention also advantageously provides a kit 120 forcoloring hair. As shown in FIG. 5, the kit 120 includes a kit container122 and a hair color mixture dispensing container 123 positioned withinthe kit container 122. The hair color mixture dispensing container 123includes an inner dispensing container chamber 127 formed in a medialbody portion 125 of the dispensing container 123. A first hair coloringsolution 129 can be pre-positioned therein, or alternatively can beincluded in the kit container 122 in a separate package or container(not shown) for loading into the inner dispensing container chamber 127by the user. The hair color mixture dispensing container 123 alsoincludes an interior recess 131 inwardly extending from a proximal bodyend portion 155 into the medial body portion 125. A second hair coloringsolution 133 can be pre-positioned therein, or also alternatively can beincluded in the kit container 122 in a separate package or container(not shown) for loading into the interior recess 131 by the user.

At least one but preferably a plurality of recess openings 157 areformed in the interior recess 131 and extend from interior recesssurface regions of the interior recess 131 through outer recess surfaceregions of the interior recess 131 and into the inner dispensingcontainer chamber 127. A flexible valve recess opening cover 169 can bepositioned over the at least one recess opening 157 to close the atleast one recess opening 157 formed in the interior recess 131. Theflexible valve recess opening cover 169 can serve to isolate the secondhair coloring solution 133 when positioned in the interior recess 131from the first hair coloring solution 129 when positioned in the innerdispensing container chamber 127 so that the second hair coloringsolution 133 is prevented from readily flowing from the interior recess131 into the inner dispensing container chamber 127.

A plunger 135 can also be positioned within the kit container 122. Theplunger 135 can be, and preferably is, pre-positioned in the interiorrecess 131 adjacent the proximal body end portion 155 of the hair colormixture dispensing container 123. When so positioned, the plunger 135has a distal plunger end portion positioned in the interior recess 131such that it is adjacent and in contact with the second hair coloringsolution 133. The plunger 135 is adapted to respond to the user suchthat pressure on the plunger 135 induced by a user opens the flexiblevalve recess opening cover 169 to allow the first and second haircoloring solutions 129, 133, to mix in the inner dispensing containerchamber 127. The second hair coloring solution 133 passes from withinthe interior recess 131 through the at least one recess opening 157 tothereby form a hair color mixture within the inner dispensing containerchamber 127.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one recessopening 157 can include a plurality of recess openings 157. In suchconfiguration, the flexible valve recess opening cover 169 can befurther positioned in a surrounding relationship over the plurality ofrecess openings 157, as illustrated, to close the plurality of recessopenings 157 formed in the interior recess 131. The flexible valverecess opening cover 169 can be adapted to respond to positive pressureapplied to the inner recess 131 by the plunger 135 to thereby expand thevalve recess cover 169 to uncover the plurality of recess openings 157to allow the second hair coloring solution 133 to mix with the firsthair coloring solution 129 in the inner container chamber 127.Correspondingly, the flexible valve recess opening cover 169 can beadapted to respond to a release of the positive pressure on the plunger135 induced by the user to thereby allow the flexible valve recessopening cover 169 to contract to thereby prevent the hair color mixturefrom back-flowing from within the inner dispensing container chamber 127and into the interior recess 131. This described configuration canprovide vacuum retention of the plunger 131 and prevent inadvertentextrusion of the hair color mixture through the interior recess 131.

The dispensing container 123 can include additional provisions forpreventing premature mixing of the first and second hair coloringsolutions 129, 133. A medial body compression clasp 168 can bepositioned in a surrounding relationship to a section of the medial bodyportion 125 of the dispensing container 123. The medial body compressionclasp 168 can compress deformable flexible material of the medial bodyportion 125 of the dispensing container 123, to thereby regulate theinternal volume of the inner dispensing container chamber 127. Thisprevents self-expansion of the medial body portion 15 of the dispensingcontainer 123. In some embodiments of valve cover 169, inadvertentexpansion of the medial body portion 125 can result in a vacuum whichcan tend to draw the second hair coloring solution 133 through therecess openings 157 and into the inner dispensing container chamber 127.Additionally, the plunger 135 can include a plunger release to preventinadvertent extrusion of the second hair coloring solution 133 into theinner chamber 127. The plunger release, illustrated as pin 136, neednot, however, be a pin in the normal sense. Though preferably in theform of a cotter pin or breakaway peg, the plunger release can also bein the form of a removable collar or breakaway band at least partiallysurrounding the elongated neck of plunger 135.

The kit 120 also includes a hair color mixture dispenser 143 positionedin the kit container 122 and preferably connected to an open distal bodyend portion 153 of the dispensing container 123 to dispense hair colormixture, therefrom. Though the hair color mixture dispenser 123 can bealternatively positioned individually in the kit container 122, it hasbeen found that the hair color mixture dispenser 143 should be eitherintegral with the hair color mixture dispensing container 123 or atleast non-removable without causing destruction to either the hair colormixture dispenser 143 or hair color mixture dispensing container 123.Providing the hair color dispenser 143 in a non-removable form helpsprevent inadvertent spilling or discharge of either the first haircoloring solution 129 or the hair color mixture, once formed.

The hair color mixture dispenser 143 can include a brush applicator 145such as one similar to the brush applicator 45, illustrated in FIG. 4,and thus shall not be illustrated in detail. The brush applicator 145can have a proximal brush applicator end 171 including a proximallengthwise extent and a proximal widthwise extent, and a distal brushapplicator end 173 including a distal lengthwise extent and a distalwidthwise extent. The distal widthwise extent can be substantiallyshorter than the proximal widthwise extent to concentrate the dispensingof the hair color mixture.

A plurality of hair color mixture extrusion channels 175 can bepositioned between the proximal brush applicator end 171 and the distalbrush applicator end 173. The brush applicator also includes a pluralityof flexible bristles 147 associated with the distal brush applicator end173. Each of the plurality of flexible bristles 147 can be positionedalong the distal lengthwise extent of the distal brush applicator end173 and can be positioned adjacent at least one of the plurality of haircolor mixture extrusion channels 175 to provide substantially uniformlengthwise distribution of the hair color mixture. Each of the pluralityof flexible bristles 147 can further be positioned in a surroundingrelationship to at least one of the plurality of hair color mixtureextrusion channels 175 to provide concentrated wetting of each of theplurality of flexible bristles 147 positioned therewith. Thispositioning can help provide substantially uniform lengthwise dispersionof the dispensed hair color mixture to the hair of the user. To thisend, the plurality of hair color mixture extrusion channels 175 can alsobe substantially unobstructed in order to provide an increased flow ofhair color mixture to the plurality of flexible bristles 147.Additionally, to provide for increased uniformity and ease ofdispensing, the flexible bristles 147 are preferably flexible plasticbristles which have been found to function well in both retaining thehair color mixture within the flexible bristles 147 and releasing themixture onto the hair of the user during application of the hair colormixture.

The hair color mixture dispenser 143 can include an extrusion channelclosing valve 191. The extrusion channel closing valve 191 can bepositioned adjacent the open distal body end portion 153 of thecontainer and the proximal brush applicator end 171 of the brushapplicator 143 to close the hair color mixture extrusion channels 175 sothat the hair color mixture within the inner container chamber 27 isprevented from flowing into the plurality of hair color mixtureextrusion channels 175. Suitable valves of this type are well known tothose skilled in the art, however, in a preferred configuration, theextrusion channel closing valve 191 is similar to that illustrated inFIG. 4 and therefore shall not be illustrated in detail. The extrusionchannel closing valve 191 can include a non-removable rotatable closurecap 193 connected between the open distal body end portion 153 of thecontainer 123 and the proximal brush applicator end 171 of the brushapplicator 143. The rotatable closure cap 193 can further be integralwith the proximal brush applicator end 171. Regardless, the rotatableclosure cap 193 can have a plurality of rotatable closure cap openings(not shown) in fluid communication with a corresponding plurality of thehair color mixture extrusion channels 175. The function is similar tothat described above with respect to brush applicator 45 such thatrotating the rotatable closure cap 193 in a first (open) direction willallow the hair color mixture to flow through the plurality of rotatableclosure cap openings and rotating the rotatable closure cap 193 in asecond (closed) direction substantially will prevent the hair colormixture from flowing through the plurality of rotatable closure capopenings.

Alternatively, instead of an extrusion channel closing valve in the formof a rotatable valve, the hair color mixture dispenser 143 can insteadinclude a multi-prong closure cap 205 positioned adjacent the distalbrush applicator 173 end. The multi-prong closure cap 205 includes aplurality of teeth, each sealingly positioned within one of theplurality of hair color mixture extrusion channels 175 to selectivelyclose the hair color mixture extrusion channels 175. In this fashion,the hair color mixture within the inner container chamber 127 isprevented from flowing out of the plurality of hair color mixtureextrusion channels 175. Additionally, other extrusion channel closingmeans, as known by those skilled in the art, are within the scope of thepresent invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, 6-8, embodiments of the present invention alsoinclude methods of using an apparatus for coloring hair, such as, forexample, apparatus 21. According to an embodiment of the presentinvention, as perhaps best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a method of using anapparatus 21 for coloring hair includes applying pressure against a haircoloring solution 33, such as, for example, a developing solution ordeveloper, contained within an interior recess 31 of a hair coloringcontainer 23. The interior recess 31 inwardly extends into an innercontainer chamber 27 of the container 23. The inner container chamber 27of the container 23 also contains a hair coloring solution 29, such as,for example, actual hair coloring. As perhaps best shown in FIG. 3, thepressure applied against the hair coloring solution 33 in the interiorrecess 31 expands a flexible valve cover 69 positioned in a surroundingrelationship over a plurality of recess openings 57 formed in theinterior recess 31. The application of pressure against the hair colorsolution 33 can be through use of positive pressure on a plunger 35induced by the user. The plunger 35 can have a distal plunger endportion 65 preferably pre-positioned in the mouth of the interior recess31 adjacent the hair coloring solution 33.

The expansion of the flexible valve cover 69 results in uncovering theplurality of recess openings 57 to allow the hair coloring solutions 29,33, to mix in the inner container chamber 27. The mixing of the haircoloring solutions 29, 33, results in the formation of a hair colormixture 49 positioned within the inner container chamber 27 and isaccomplished as a result of the passage of the hair coloring solution 33from within the interior recess 31 through the plurality of recessopenings 57 and into the inner container chamber 27 containing the haircoloring solution 29. Releasing the application of pressure on theplunger 35, after forming the hair color mixture 49, causes the flexiblevalve cover 69 to contract and thus to re-cover the plurality of recessopenings 57 to prevent the hair color mixture 49 from flowing from theinner container chamber 27 and into the interior recess 31. Thisfunctional structure helps prevent inadvertent removal of the plunger 35and inadvertent extrusion of the hair coloring mixture 49 through theinterior recess 31.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 4, and 8, the method further includes dispensingthe hair color mixture 49. As perhaps best shown in FIG. 4, in anembodiment of the present invention which includes a rotatable closurecap 93, after forming the hair color mixture 49, the user rotates therotatable closure cap 93 to an open position O. As perhaps best shown inFIGS. 1 and 8, the user then squeezes a flexible medial body portion 25of the container 23 to extrude the hair color mixture 49 onto the hairof the user. The extrusion is accomplished by passage of the hair colormixture 49 from within the inner container chamber 27 through aplurality of hair color mixture extrusion channels 75 and to a pluralityof flexible bristles 47 adapted to be brushed through the hair of theuser.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 4, and 7-8, in another example of a method of usingan apparatus for coloring hair, such as apparatus 21, the method caninclude dispensing the hair color mixture 49 and applying the hair colormixture 49 to the hair of the user. As perhaps best shown in FIG. 7, thedispensing step can include dispensing a hair color mixture 49 onto thehair of a user by removing a multi-prong closure cap 105 positionedadjacent a distal brush applicator end 73 of a brush applicator 45having a plurality of teeth 107 each sealingly positioned within one ofa plurality of hair color mixture extrusion channels 75. As perhaps bestshown in FIG. 1, user squeezes a flexible medial body portion 25 of acontainer 23 connected to the brush applicator 45 to extrude the haircolor mixture 49 by passage of the hair color mixture 49 from within aninner container chamber 27 through a plurality of hair color mixtureextrusion channels 75 and to a plurality of flexible bristles 47positioned in a row-like arrangement along a distal lengthwise extent 83of the distal brush applicator end 73.

Also as perhaps best shown in FIG. 1, the application step can includeapplying a substantially uniform lengthwise distribution of the haircolor mixture 49 in a single stroke to a lengthwise area of a portion ofthe hair of the user by brushing the plurality of flexible bristles 47against the hair while dispensing the hair coloring mixture 49.

Embodiments of the present invention also include business methods ofproviding a kit 120 for coloring hair. For example, according to anembodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 5, an apparatus121 for coloring hair, similar to apparatus 21, can be manufactured suchthat the apparatus 121 includes a single dispensing container 123 havinga medial body portion with an inner container chamber 127 formed in themedial body portion for containing a first hair coloring solution 129and an interior recess 131 for containing a second hair coloringsolution 133.

The apparatus 121 further includes a plunger 135 positioned adjacent andin contact with the second hair coloring solution 133. The plunger 135is adapted to be used for applying pressure to the second hair colorsolution 133 to mix the second hair coloring solution 133 into the firsthair coloring solution 129 within the inner container chamber 127. Avalve including a flexible valve cover 169 can be positioned within theinner container chamber 127 in a surrounding relationship over aplurality of recess openings 157 in the interior recess 131. Theflexible valve cover 169 is responsive to a positive pressure on theplunger 135 induced by the user to allow passage of the second haircolor solution 133, through the plurality of recess openings 169, toallow the second hair coloring solution 133 to mix with the first haircoloring solution 129 in the inner container chamber 127.

A hair color mixture dispenser 143 can be connected to the container 123and can include a brush applicator 145 having a plurality of flexiblebristles 147 for applying a hair coloring mixture onto the hair of theuser. The flexible bristles 147 are positioned adjacent a distal brushapplicator end 173 and a rotatable closure cap 193 is positionedadjacent a proximal brush applicator end 171 to allow passage of thehair color mixture from within the inner container chamber 127 of thecontainer 123 to the plurality of flexible bristles 147. The pluralityof flexible bristles 147 can be selected to be flexible plasticbristles. Although others are within the scope of the present invention,flexible plastic bristles have been found to provide optimum retentionand eventual release of the hair color mixture. The hair color mixturedispenser 143 can be manufactured such that the rotatable closure cap193 is of a type that is either non-removable or integral with the opendistal body end portion 153. This design helps prevent inadvertentspillage or premature release of the hair color mixture.

After manufacture of the dispensing container 123, a medial bodycompression clasp 168 can be positioned in a surrounding relationship toa section of the medial body portion 125 of the dispensing container123. The medial body compression clasp 168 can compress deformableflexible material of the medial body portion 125 of the dispensingcontainer 123, to thereby regulate the internal volume of the innerdispensing container chamber 127. Additionally, the plunger 135 caninclude a plunger release, such as pin 136, to prevent inadvertentextrusion of the second hair coloring solution 133 into the innerchamber 127.

In an embodiment of the present invention, after manufacture, theapparatus 121 can be packaged as a combined unit in a single package orcontainer 122 such that the user need only open the package, read anyinstructions, if so included, form the hair color mixture, and apply thehair color mixture onto the hair of the user. Similar to the methodologyfor forming the hair color mixture 49 with respect to apparatus 21described and illustrated in detail with respect to FIGS. 2-4, the usergenerally needs only press or depress the plunger 135 inwardly tosubstantially its full extent to properly mix the first and second haircoloring solutions 129, 133. To dispense the now formed hair colormixture, the user generally need only rotate the rotatable closure cap193 to allow passage of the hair color mixture from within the innercontainer chamber 127 of the container 123 to the plurality of clustersof flexible bristles 147 on the distal brush applicator end 173 of thebrush applicator 145. The user can then squeeze outer surface regions ofthe medial body portion 125 of the container 123 to produce a flow ofthe hair color mixture to the plurality of flexible bristles 147 andthus, onto the hair of the user.

In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed a typicalpreferred embodiment of the invention, and although specific terms areemployed, the terms are used in a descriptive sense only and not forpurposes of limitation. The invention has been described in considerabledetail with specific reference to these illustrated embodiments. It willbe apparent, however, that various modifications and changes can be madewithin the spirit and scope of the invention as described in theforegoing specification and as defined in the attached claims. Forexample, although the methods of use were primarily described withrespect to two of the embodiments of the apparatus for coloring hair, asa minimum the methods of use can be equally applied to each of theembodiments of the apparatus for coloring hair described in theforegoing detailed description. Also for example, although the kit wasprimarily described with respect to two of the embodiments of theapparatus for coloring hair, as a minimum, the kit container can containeither of the embodiments of the apparatus for coloring hair describedin the foregoing detailed description.

1-58. (canceled)
 59. A hair color dispenser comprising: a brushapplicator having a proximal brush applicator end, a distal brushapplicator end, a plurality of hair color extrusion channels positionedbetween the proximal brush applicator end and the distal brushapplicator end, and a plurality of flexible bristles associated with thedistal brush applicator end, positioned along a length of the distalbrush applicator end, and each adjacent at least one of the plurality ofhair color extrusion channels; and an extrusion channel closer adaptedto be positioned adjacent the open distal body end portion of acontainer and the proximal brush applicator end of the brush applicatorto selectively close the hair color extrusion channels so that a haircolor fluid when positioned within the container is prevented fromflowing into the plurality of hair color mixture extrusion channels. 60.A dispenser as defined in claim 59, wherein the extrusion channel closerincludes: a rotatable closure cap connected between the open distal bodyend portion of the container and the proximal brush applicator end ofthe brush applicator and having a plurality of rotatable closure capopenings in fluid communication with a corresponding plurality of thehair color fluid extrusion channels, wherein rotating the closure cap ina first direction allows fluid hair color to flow through the pluralityof rotatable closure cap openings and rotating the rotatable closure capin a second direction substantially prevents hair color fluid fromflowing through the plurality of rotatable closure cap opening.
 61. Adispenser as defined in claim 60, wherein the extrusion channel closerfurther comprises a membrane adapted to be positioned between the opendistal body end portion of the container and the rotatable closure capand having a plurality of membrane openings adapted to be in fluidcommunication with an inner chamber of the container and the rotatableclosure cap, at least one of the plurality of membrane openingssubstantially axially aligned and in fluid communication with at leastone of the plurality of closure cap openings when the closure cap isrotated in the first direction to allow the hair color fluid to flowthrough the plurality of rotatable closure cap openings, and each of theplurality of membrane openings substantially nonaligned with each of theplurality of closure cap openings when the closure cap is rotated in thesecond direction to substantially prevent the hair color fluid fromflowing through the plurality of rotatable closure cap openings.
 62. Adispenser as defined in claim 59, wherein the proximal brush applicatorend includes a proximal lengthwise extent and a proximal widthwiseextent, wherein the distal brush applicator end includes a distallengthwise extent and a distal widthwise extent, wherein the distalwidthwise extent is substantially shorter than the proximal widthwiseextent, wherein each of the plurality of hair color extrusion channelsis substantially unobstructed and is positioned spaced apart in a singlerow along the distal lengthwise extent of the distal brush applicatorend to provide substantially uniform lengthwise distribution of the haircolor fluid, and wherein each of the plurality of flexible bristles ispositioned in a surrounding relationship to at least one of theplurality of hair color extrusion channels to provide concentratedwetting of each of the plurality of flexible bristles positionedtherewith to thereby further provide substantially uniform lengthwisedispersion of the dispensed hair color to a lengthwise area of hair ofthe user.
 63. A dispenser as defined in claim 59, wherein the hair colordispenser is adapted to be relatively permanently affixed to an opendistal body end portion of the container to prevent separation of thehair coloring dispenser from the open distal body end portion of thecontainer by the user to thereby prevent spilling of hair color fluidwhen positioned in the container
 64. An dispenser as defined in claim59, wherein the proximal brush applicator end of the hair colordispenser is adapted to be integral with an open distal body end portionof the container to prevent opening of the container by the user tothereby prevent spilling of the hair color fluid when positioned in thecontainer.
 65. A hair fluid dispenser comprising: a brush applicatorhaving a proximal brush applicator end, a distal brush applicator end, aplurality of hair fluid extrusion channels positioned between theproximal brush applicator end and the distal brush applicator end, and aplurality of flexible bristles associated with the distal brushapplicator end, positioned along a length of the distal brush applicatorend, and positioned adjacent at least one of the plurality of hair fluidextrusion channels; and an extrusion channel closing valve connectedbetween the open distal body end portion of the container and theproximal brush applicator end of the brush applicator to selectivelyclose the hair fluid extrusion channels so that hair color fluid withinan inner chamber of a container is prevented from flowing into theplurality of hair fluid extrusion channels, the extrusion channelclosing valve including a rotatable closure cap having a plurality ofrotatable closure cap openings adapted to be in fluid communication witha corresponding plurality of the hair fluid extrusion channels so thatrotating the closure cap in a first direction allows the hair fluid whenpositioned in the inner chamber of the container to flow through theplurality of rotatable closure cap openings and rotating the rotatableclosure cap in a second direction substantially prevents the hair fluidwhen positioned in the inner chamber of the container from flowingthrough the plurality of rotatable closure cap openings.
 66. A dispenseras defined in claim 65, wherein the proximal brush applicator endincludes a proximal lengthwise extent and a proximal widthwise extent,wherein the distal brush applicator end includes a distal lengthwiseextent and a distal widthwise extent, wherein the distal widthwiseextent is substantially shorter than the proximal widthwise extent,wherein each of the plurality of hair fluid extrusion channels ispositioned spaced apart in a single row along the distal lengthwiseextent of the distal brush applicator end to provide substantiallyuniform lengthwise distribution of the hair color fluid, and whereineach of the plurality of hair fluid mixture extrusion channels adjacentthe distal brush applicator end is substantially unobstructed.
 67. Ahair fluid dispenser adapted to be connected to an open distal body endportion of a container to dispense hair fluid therefrom, the hair fluiddispenser comprising: a brush applicator having a proximal brushapplicator end, a distal brush applicator end, a plurality of hair colormixture extrusion channels positioned between the proximal brushapplicator end and the distal brush applicator end, and a plurality offlexible bristles associated with the distal brush applicator endpositioned along a length of the distal brush applicator end andpositioned adjacent at least one of the plurality of hair fluidextrusion channels, the proximal brush applicator end of the hair fluiddispenser being adapted to be associated with the open distal body endportion of the container to prevent opening of the container by the userto thereby prevent spilling of the hair fluid; an extrusion channelclosing valve connected adjacent the distal brush applicator end of thebrush applicator to selectively close the hair fluid extrusion channels;and a multi-prong closure cap positioned adjacent the distal brushapplicator end and having a plurality of teeth each sealingly positionedwithin one of the plurality of hair color mixture extrusion channels toselectively close the hair fluid extrusion channels so that hair fluidwhen positioned within the inner container chamber is prevented fromflowing out of the plurality of hair fluid extrusion channels.
 68. Ahair fluid dispenser adapted to be connected to an open distal body endportion of a container having an inner container chamber to contain ahair fluid within to dispense the hair fluid therefrom, the hair fluiddispenser comprising: a brush applicator having a proximal brushapplicator end including a proximal lengthwise extent and a proximalwidthwise extent, a distal brush applicator end including a distallengthwise extent and a distal widthwise extent substantially shorterthan the proximal widthwise extent, at least one hair fluid extrusionchannel positioned between the proximal brush applicator end and thedistal brush applicator end, and a plurality of flexible bristlesassociated with the distal brush applicator end and each positionedalong the distal lengthwise extent of the distal brush applicator endand positioned adjacent the at least one hair fluid extrusion channel toprovide substantially uniform lengthwise distribution of the hair fluid;and an extrusion channel closing valve positioned adjacent the opendistal body end portion of the container and the proximal brushapplicator end of the brush applicator and adapted to selectively closethe at least one hair fluid extrusion channel so that the hair colorfluid when within the inner chamber of the container is prevented fromflowing into the at least one hair fluid extrusion channels.
 69. Adispenser as defined in claim 68, wherein the extrusion channel closingvalve includes a non-removable rotatable closure cap connected betweenthe open distal body end portion of the container and the proximal brushapplicator end of the brush applicator and having at least one rotatableclosure cap opening selectively in fluid communication with the at leastone hair fluid extrusion channel, and wherein rotating the closure capin a first direction allows the hair fluid to flow through the at leastone rotatable closure cap opening and rotating the rotatable closure capin a second direction substantially prevents the hair fluid from flowingthrough the at least one rotatable closure cap opening.
 70. A dispenseras defined in claim 69, wherein the at least one hair fluid extrusionchannel adjacent the distal brush applicator end is substantiallyunobstructed, and wherein each of the plurality of flexible bristles ispositioned in a surrounding relationship to the at least one hair fluidextrusion channel to provide concentrated wetting of each of theplurality of flexible bristles positioned therewith to thereby furtherprovide substantially uniform lengthwise dispersion of the dispensedhair fluid onto hair.